Method and apparatus for workspace ergonomics and fitness

ABSTRACT

A workspace fitness apparatus, comprising a standard workspace such as a computer desk or cubicle, a plurality of physical activity devices arranged upon or about the workspace, a plurality of interactive devices for computer operation comprising keyboard, pointer, and voice-recognition elements, such as to facilitate physical activity for fitness and health benefits without interrupting other work-related activities.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/628,399, titled “CUBICLE GYMNASIUM”, filed on Oct. 31, 2011,the entire specification of which is incorporated hereby by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of fitness equipment, and morespecifically the present invention relates to the configuration andarrangement of fitness or exercise equipment within and about aworkspace while maintaining minimal intrusion upon the workingenvironment and allowing unimpeded use of working materials regardlessof the level of fitness activity, and optionally comprising elements foroperation of a computer workstation while maintaining a level ofphysical activity.

2. Discussion of the State of the Art

In the field of physical health, Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis(NEAT™, which is a trademark and service mark of Mayo Foundation forMedical Education and Research) refers to the calorie burn that occursthroughout the day when the body is periodically active (e.g. movingabout more and sitting stationary less often) without necessarilyperforming dedicated periods of repetitious movement such as formalexercise, specifically, “The energy expenditure of all physicalactivities other than volitional sporting-like exercise”, as quoted fromDr. James A Levine, M.D. Ph.D. of the Mayo Clinic, who pioneered thescience and study of NEAT™.

In research studies involving sensitive motion detectors, it has beenindicated that individuals who change body position more frequently mayburn up to as much as 350 additional calories per day as compared tothose who sit relatively stationary without shifting or moving. Thisdifference in caloric consumption could account for as much as 35 poundsgained or lost over the course of a regular year. These observationsseem consistent with observations that such common activities as sittingin front of a television for several hours with a remote control,playing electronic games or using a computer for long periods whilesitting and remaining largely inactive physically, and other forms of“screen time” are correlated with health hazards typically associatedwith a sedentary lifestyle. Current statistics on obesity and thepremature aging of the population suggest that not enough individualsare willing or able to fit in a regular workout around busy workschedules, limiting the time or intensity of any exercise performed asdictated by work needs.

There exist in the art some solutions for pursuing physical activity orother fitness in a workspace; however such solutions are limited inseveral ways. Prior solutions do not provide for a variety or choice oflower body device or apparatus, such as a treadmill, stair-like“stepper” device, elliptical training machine, ski machine, or otherdevices as may be utilized in the art of fitness equipment. Priorsolutions also do not provide overhead upper-body fitness devices ormeans of operating a computer workstation without interrupting physicalactivities, such as ambidextrous input means or the utilization ofautomated speech recognition (ASR) or other software to facilitatehands-free or “hands-light” operation, or alternate means of videooutput for a computer such as worn display solutions like head-mounteddisplays for improved head and neck ergonomics during operation.

Without the features described, existing solutions are inadequate inthat they can result in frequent shifting of hand/arm position that mayinterfere with the ability of a computer user to perform sustainedtouch-typing for speed and accuracy of data entry on a keyboard, createmomentum that takes time to interrupt (even with slow walking) whenevera momentary stationary posture is called for by a particular computertask or if a rapid exit from the apparatus becomes necessary, requiremore space than is often available in the typical “cubicle” environmentthat may be commonly utilized in a workplace, are too expensive for manyindividuals to buy privately or for many institutions to purchasemultiple units, can generate heat and noise that could adversely impactthe working environment in a shared office space, and are notparticularly portable or adaptable to different environments orworkspaces.

What is needed is a means to facilitate physical activity while stillpermitting the use of a workspace, such that these activities haveminimal impact on a work schedule or working activities as well asminimal impact on other individuals in a workplace, and allowing a userto pursue such physical activities with greater flexibility in terms ofcost, scheduling, space requirements, activity level, or other needs,and a means for a user to conveniently pursue physical activity orfitness while operating workspace equipment uninterrupted, particularlya computer workstation and with minimal negative impact on physicalfactors such as ergonomic positioning and comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the inventor has conceived of the presentinvention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of physicalfitness or exercise equipment may be arranged in and around a workingspace such as a desk or office cubicle, facilitating use of suchequipment from within the working space to perform physical fitnessactivities without interrupting other workspace activity. Such equipmentmay include, but is not limited to, resistance bands for stretching andtoning various body muscles, lower body mobilizing devices forsimulating smooth and slow-paced casual walking, climbing, gliding, orpedaling movements while working to keep the body active and facilitatephysical fitness activity as described above, stepper devices that canexpend more energy (calories) than does walking on a treadmill, and maybe more applicable due to space, financial, or other constraints andthat can be used for stretching or toning of leg muscles according to auser's particular needs or use patterns, or other devices which promoteoverall physical health and fitness and which may be arrangedconveniently about a working environment. It will be appreciated by onehaving ordinary skill in the art that such devices mentioned areexemplary, and that a wide variety of devices may be utilized in anarrangement according to the invention and according to a user'sspecific needs—for example, some users may desire only a low-impactphysical activity arrangement, utilizing devices already mentioned,while others may desire a more rigorous fitness setup for buildingmuscle mass or improving physical conditioning in other ways. Additionalor alternate devices may be utilized to tailor the specific activitiesprovided by the invention to a user's particular needs such as desiredfitness activity level, scheduling or space requirements, physicalconditions which may affect activities, or other personal needs orpreferences. It will be appreciated that any workspace utilized may beof pre-existing design with the invention adapted to use the existingarea, or it may be constructed new according to the invention, withphysical activity devices included as an integral element of the design.It will be further appreciated that a working environment utilizedaccording to the invention need not be limited to an office desk, andthat a wide variety of environments may be suitable according to theinvention. Such environments may include, but are not limited to, acomputer desk or office cubicle, retail environment such as a POSterminal, mechanical working area such as a tool bench as might beutilized in a residential garage, craft area such as a drafting table,artist's easel, sewing desk, or any of a multitude of other such areaswhich may be designed and utilized for focused or prolonged activities.It will be further appreciated that the invention may be adapted toworkspaces incorporating a sitting, standing, or other posturing of thebody interchangeably according to the nature of the activity andworkspace utilized, however it is a benefit realized by the inventorthat by utilizing a standing position when sitting is not necessarilyrequired but is customary (such as at a computer desk or similar officeworkspace), various health benefits may be realized which are desirableaccording to the intent of the invention, such as reduction of “truncaltunnel syndrome”, a potentially-unhealthy compression of the vitalorgans of the torso from long hours of sitting in a flexed posture as iscommonly adopted in many desk chairs found in the art.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a workspacedesigned for the use of a computer such as an office cubicle isutilized. In such an environment it may be desirable for a worker to beable to pursue physical activity while working, such that physicalhealth or fitness may be promoted with minimal negative impact onproductivity. According to the embodiment, a plurality of devices may beutilized in an arrangement such as to facilitate the use of a computerworkstation such as a laptop or desktop computer, or a retailpoint-of-sale (POS) terminal. Such devices may include (but are notlimited to) keyboard or number pad input devices for typing or operatingtext-based software such as sales or customer service managementsoftware commonly utilized in various roles and in a variety ofindustries, pointer devices such as a mouse for operation of basiccomputer functions and operating systems and such as may be commonlyfound in consumer computer setups, or non-tactile interactive systemsfor operating a computer such as speech recognition software installedon a computer for operation via verbal input. Such devices mentioned areexemplary and it will be appreciated that a variety of similar oralternate devices may be utilized according to the invention, and thatnew and alternate devices and technologies may become available whichmay be utilized according to the invention. Such devices or softwareelements may be arranged in such a way as to facilitate operation of acomputer in a variety of ways, such as with one or both handsinterchangeably by means of multiple or ambidextrous input devices (asan example, an exemplary arrangement might include two mouse pointerdevices, such that a worker may utilize one with either handinterchangeably as may be desirable), or such that a user may freely andeasily switch to operating a computer without the use of their hands—asan example, an exemplary arrangement might be setup in such a way that auser may simply stop using any keyboard or pointer devices and beginspeaking to the computer utilizing speech recognition software, with nomanual configuration or change necessary, such software being availableimmediately on the computer for convenient and immediate switchingbetween input methods as may be desirable. Using such hands-free meansof operation not only allows a user to pursue other activities withtheir hands and arms, but also may reduce the overall use of manualinput methods described above, reducing the likelihood of wrist or otherupper extremity strain or injury. The opportunity to use either, both,or neither hand interchangeably encourages “student driver” training ofthe non-dominant hand which may improve dexterity and allow the optionof using whichever hand is more appropriate for each given task, oroptionally using whichever hand is not otherwise occupied (such as whenperforming other physical activities in addition to other workspacetasks), and also encourages the development of good hands-free computeroperation skills (such as clear enunciation as may be desirable for someASR software) as may be appropriate, allowing a user more flexibility incomputer-related tasks and greater opportunity for workspace fitnessactivities which may benefit from the option to operate a computerwithout the use of hands, freeing them up for such activities.Furthermore, an alternate video output for a computer may be utilized,such as head-mounted displays (HMD) or “video glasses”, which place acomputer display inside a pair of glasses or goggles in such a way as tobe focused for use while being worn. By utilizing such a display, a useris given far greater flexibility in their movement and posturing withina workspace as they no longer are required to look directly at a displaypositioned in the workspace, and such use encourages better ergonomicposture and comfort for a user by discouraging neck strain from holdingthe head in a fixed or awkward position while operating a computer. Suchalternate display means may be utilized in conjunction with hands-freeinput means to facilitate an even greater level of fitness potential,for example a user might perform a standard workout routine engaging theupper body, lower body, and extremities as might be expected in afitness gym and ordinarily impossible in a computer workspace (or atleast impossible without completely interrupting the operation of acomputer), all while still operating a computer workstation viahands-free means and while viewing a wearable display for completefreedom of movement.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a plurality ofphysical fitness or exercise equipment may be arranged in and around aworking space such as a desk or office cubicle, facilitating use of suchequipment from within the working space to perform physical activitywithout interrupting other workspace activity. According to theembodiment, such equipment may be selected and arranged such as tofacilitate physical therapy or rehabilitation exercises, rather thanphysical fitness activities. Such an arrangement may be desirable foruse in a plurality of environments where a worker may wish to performphysical therapy or rehabilitation exercises as needed withoutinterrupting their other activities, such as (for example) in a homeoffice where a worker can perform physical therapy while accomplishingwork-related activities from the comfort of their residence, an officeenvironment where employees may need therapy for any of a number ofreasons and do not wish (or are otherwise unable) to take time off fromtheir work to do such exercises at home or in a clinical setting, or ina workplace intended for injured, disabled, or physically-disadvantagedindividuals (such as a rehabilitation clinic) which may encouragetherapeutic or rehabilitation exercise as an integral element of thework environment, or in a clinical setting such as a care facility whereresidents may need physical therapy and may wish to pursue otheractivities simultaneously rather than focus on the therapy at theexpense of other activity. It will be appreciated that, as describedabove, the specific devices utilized in the arrangement according to theinvention are exemplary and alternate or additional devices may beutilized according to the invention and as appropriate for any user'sspecific needs regarding therapy procedures, physical needs orlimitations, space requirements, or other criteria.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of an exemplaryarrangement of fitness equipment around a workspace.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of a computer-basedworkstation, adapted for use according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary system for computerinteraction according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention,comprising a plurality of physical fitness devices arranged about aworkspace 100 to facilitate physical activity while simultaneouslyperforming other activities as appropriate according to the nature ofworkspace 100. Workspace 100 may be of varied construction, arrangement,or intended function according to the invention. Workspace 100 mayinclude a working surface 101, which may be of varied design toaccommodate activities appropriate to a variety of workspaces 100, andwhich may further comprise a plurality of fixed, removably-attached, orseparately arranged extensions 250 a and 250 b which may extend alongone or both sides of a user's working area 100 or optionally maycomprise additional elevated surfaces or raised elements or portions ofworking surface 101 for the purpose of improving ergonomics for a userof varied height, body shape, or preferences. It will be appreciatedthat the invention may be adapted to such exemplary workspaces 100 as acomputer desk or office cubicle, retail environment such as a POSterminal, mechanical working area such as a tool bench as might beutilized in a residential garage, craft area such as a drafting table,artist's easel, or sewing desk, or any of a multitude of other suchareas which may be designed and utilized for focused or prolongedactivities. Such devices may include as illustrated resistance bands 110which may be movably or otherwise affixed to a ceiling, bar, or similarsurface 111 and positioned for use by an individual in a workspace 100without leaving the immediate area and such that they may be usedwithout distracting an individual from other activities. Such resistancebands 110 may be arranged in a fixed way relative to workstation 100, ormay be removably attached to rigid elements of workstation 100 such asceilings 111, bars fixed to a workstation 100, and the like. In anillustrated embodiment, resistance bands 110 are positioned such thatthey would naturally hang approximately arm-length away from a user suchthat in grasping both bands a user's arms would form an angle of 30-45degrees from the sides of the body, although it will be appreciated thatsuch an arrangement is exemplary and alternate configurations andpositions may be utilized according to the invention. Other devices mayinclude (but are not limited to) a bar 112 which may be designed andpositioned for grasping above a user's head or shoulders such as (asillustrated) positioning at a comfortable height andhorizontally-oriented such that a user may grasp the bar with one orboth hands interchangeably for exercise movements, and which may bemounted or attached in a fixed way related to workspace 100 or may beremovable attached to rigid elements such as a ceiling 111 and which maybe affixed in such a way as to facilitate grasping in a variety ofpositions or locations along the surface of bar 112, a stair-likestepping device 120, which may be positioned such that an individual mayoptionally use such a device without being distracted from or leaving aworkspace 100 and which may be movable such as to be positioned out ofthe immediate area of an individual when not in use, and which may bedesigned in such a way as to facilitate a range of foot motions forvarious exercise or ergonomic functions such as a traditionalup-and-down stepping motion, or by altering physical elements of stepper120 allowing other motions such as a rocking motion wherein step-likeelements of stepper 120 may be pivotably fixed about a fulcrum locatedmore centrally rather than at a distal point as illustrated, and it willbe appreciated that the particular design of stepper 120 is exemplaryand variations and alternate arrangements may be utilized according toan embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that the illustratedposition and design of a working surface 101 in FIG. 1 is exemplary, andthat a person having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognizethat other such arrangements are possible without departing from thescope of the invention as claimed below. It will be appreciated thatsuch a working surface 101 may be of varied design and utility, and thatthe position may vary according to the invention such as might be usefulaccording to various body positions such as sitting, standing, kneeling,or may be of movable design such that the position may be adjusted forvarious positions or postures interchangeably within a singlearrangement. It will be further appreciated by one having ordinary skillin the art that additional or alternate devices may be utilizedaccording to the invention and that all devices and arrangements shownare exemplary in nature. It will be further appreciated that suchdevices may be arranged optimally for use in one or more body positions,such as sitting or standing as may be needed according to the nature ofworkspace 100 or working surface 101, and furthermore that such devicesand arrangements may be readily adjustable in nature, such thatpositioning may be changed as needed with minimal effort such that asingle workspace 100 may be used for a variety of activities orfacilitate a plurality of users either interchangeably orsimultaneously.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of the invention,illustrating an arrangement of input devices for operation of a computer201 which may be located on a working surface 101 in a workspace 100while performing physical activity previously described according to theinvention such as physical fitness activities, physical therapyexercises, or other physical activities. It will be appreciated by onehaving ordinary skill in the art that such a computer 201 may be ofvaried design and function, such as a laptop personal computer or adesktop workstation in an office environment. It will be furtherappreciated that such a device need not be positioned upon a workingsurface 101 as illustrated, and may be a standalone element of aworkspace 100 such as a wall-mounted kiosk or a retail POS terminal, anda working surface 101 may optionally be facilitated in such instances asmay be needed according to the invention. As illustrated, one or moretext input devices 210 such as a keyboard may be utilized, which may bedesigned in such a way as to accommodate the use of either or both handsinterchangeably, and which may be of ergonomic physical shape or formsuch as to accommodate the use of either or both hands interchangeablywithout discomfort or risk of physical strain or repetitive-stressinjury such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which may occur with heavykeyboard use. Other text input devices such as a plurality of numberpads 211 a and 211 b which may be either affixed to or an element ofkeyboard 210 or which may be separate and/or independently positionable,and which may be designed or arranged in such a way as to accommodateuse by either hand interchangeably to facilitate ambidextrous inputcapabilities, may be utilized according to the invention. As furtherillustrated, a plurality of pointer devices 220 a and 220 b such as atraditional computer mouse may be implemented, positioned and configuredsuch as to facilitate operation of a computer 201 with either handinterchangeably to facilitate ambidextrous input capabilities, such thata user may easily switch from one hand to the other while performingphysical activity without interruption of computer operations, and whichmay optionally be placed in an angled position relative to workingsurface 101 for improved ergonomics (the inventor has found that anoutward and downward angle of 15 degrees may be optimal for wristcomfort, but it will be appreciated that any angle or combination ofangles may be utilized according to the invention). A plurality ofpadded or ergonomically-shaped wrist rests 230 a and 230 b may beutilized, which may be designed to improve user comfort such as paddedor ergonomically-shaped pads or rests for a user's wrists to be placedupon during operation, and which may be either fixed or movablypositioned for optimal use during operation of one or more inputelements described above (for example, an arrangement might include twowrist rests 230 a and 230 b as illustrated, positioned for use withpointer input devices 220 a and 220 b). Additionally, alternate videodisplays such as a wearable display such as a HMD 240 may be utilized,which may be connected to computer 201 either via a wire, cable, orother physical data connection (as illustrated), or alternately may beconnected through wireless means such as Bluetooth™ or Wi-Fi dataconnections. HMD 240 may comprise a single video display 241 a forpresentation of a computer screen to a user, or alternately may comprisea second display 241 b for viewing of stereo or 3D images, or forviewing of alternate displays simultaneously or interchangeably as maybe desirable according to the operation of computer 201 and the natureof work being performed. A computer 201 may be further configured withsoftware components in such a way as to facilitate hands-free operationvia such means as automated speech recognition (ASR) or dictationsoftware (such as Nuance™ Dragon Naturally Speaking™), or other means ofcomputer interaction, and may be configured in such a way as to readilyaccommodate any or all of the described means of operationinterchangeably without any further configuration or instruction on thepart of a user (i.e., such that a user may immediately switch from onehand to another, or from using their hands to using speech recognitionsoftware, without having to perform any sort of action and without anyinterruption of their operation or activities), facilitating hands-freeinput capabilities. In this manner, a user could (for example) bewriting a document on a computer 201 and type with either handindividually while performing activities with the other (such as using aresistance grip-type device whereby a user performs a manual “squeezing”or gripping motion against mechanical resistance, which may be ofvariable or adjustable resistance), and optionally may begin using bothhands to increase upper body activity while continuing to operatecomputer 201 using ASR software that is running in the backgroundwithout interruption. It will be appreciated by one having ordinaryskill in the art that such physical and software elements described areexemplary, and that a variety of similar or alternate elements may beutilized according to the invention, and that new technologies maybecome available which may be utilized according to the invention andthat the specific design of any described or illustrated elements ispurely exemplary in nature.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary computer arrangement,comprising elements intended to facilitate ambidextrous, hands-free, or“hands-lite” operation. As illustrated, a computer 201 comprises acentral processing unit (CPU) 301 which is responsible for internalprocessing and operation of computer 201, a plurality of software inputprocessors for handling such inputs as text-based 302, pointers 303, oraudio input 304, and software-based output processing 305 for presentingdata or feedback to a user. Peripheral devices may be connected to acomputer for input and output, and several exemplary devices areillustrated. As illustrated, text-based input devices may comprise akeyboard 210, left number pad 211 a and right number pad 211 b for inputof text and computer operation. As further illustrated, left and rightpointer devices 221 a and 221 b may be utilized for computer operation,as well as a microphone 320 which may be utilized for ASR software orother means of operating a computer via voice commands or input, andwhich may optionally be a distinct device attached either fixedly orremovable to computer 201 (as illustrated) or which may be an integral,built-in component of computer 201 such as may be found in laptoppersonal computers common in the art.

Input from attached peripheral devices may be processed by respectivesoftware elements as illustrated, which may be optionally third-partyelements such as modified “driver” software for operation of peripheraldevices, or which may comprise software suites designed to offer aspecific functionality beyond what is normally featured in a computer(for example, the utilization of Nuance™ Dragon Naturally Speaking™ oranother dictation software application 330 as an audio input processor304), or which may be integral or pre-configured on computer 201, suchas standard software for operation of a keyboard 210 as is commonlyfeatured in computers by default for basic operation. Processed inputmay then be sent to CPU 301 to be utilized in operation of computer 201and various hardware and software elements, for instance to a wordprocessor software application 331, or an email client softwareapplication 332, or any other software or hardware application orfeature known in the art but not illustrated, and it will be appreciatedby one having ordinary skill in the art that such processing andoperation is common in the use of computers found in the art and neednot be further illustrated.

CPU 301 may then send output for processing by an output processor 305,which may be optionally third-party elements such as modified “driver”software for operation of peripheral devices, or which may comprisesoftware suites designed to offer a specific functionality beyond whatis normally featured in a computer (for example, the utilization ofcustomized graphic driver software for a particular purpose such asmedical, engineering, or gaming output), or which may be integral orpre-configured on computer 201, such as standard software for displayingvideo output on a screen or monitor as is commonly featured in computersby default for basic operation. Processed output may then be used bytraditional output devices commonly found in the art such as a speaker310, which may be of varied design such as a single integral speaker forbasic audio output or an array of speakers for high-definition audiosuch as Dolby™ Surround Sound™ and which may comprise either or acombination of integral speaker components or fixedly orremovable-attached external devices such as additional speakers orwearable personal speakers such as headphones, or traditional videooutput display 311 such as a monitor which may be commonly found incomputer use, and which may be an integral component of computer 201such as a screen on a laptop personal computer, or which may be afixedly or removable-attached external device such as an external screenor projector. According of an embodiment of the invention, such a videodisplay 311 may be positioned either fixedly or removably such that ascreen appears at approximately chin-height relative to a user, whileother physical elements of computer 200 may remain at an independentheight as appropriate for use (such as resting on a working surface 101while a monitor 311 is raised for viewing), such that a more ergonomicposture may be facilitated as opposed to a more traditional arrangementcommon in the art, wherein physical element may all be arranged about ascreen 311 and resting directly upon a working surface 101, which mayforce a user to type with hands positioned too high and eyes focused toolow for optimal workspace ergonomics, causing the head, neck, and upperback to be overly flexed, giving a “hunched” posture over a laptop ordesktop personal computer as commonly found in conventional workstationscommon in the art, however such positioning is exemplary and it shouldbe appreciated that alternate arrangement are possible according to anembodiment of the invention, such as the use of a laptop personalcomputer 201 positioned on a raised surface or portion of a workingsurface 201 with external elements such as keyboard 210 or pointerdevices 220 a and 220 b connected and positioned independently. Outputmay be further utilized by additional devices such as an auxiliary videodisplay 312, such as a secondary display screen (which may, asillustrated, be related to a primary display 311 in such a way as toextend or minor output displayed on display 311 or which may operateindependently and display content distinct from display 311) or wearabledisplays such as video glasses as described above. In this manner, asingle computer 201 may have multiple output devices for presenting awide variety of information to a user, or for presenting information toa plurality of users simultaneously as might be desirable, optionallydisplaying identical or unique information on each output device.Further, as described previously, by utilizing additional video outputdevices 312 it may be possible for a user to operate a computereffectively without relying on traditional or integral video devices311, facilitating greater flexibility in method of operation andallowing for greater comfort and ease of operation during physicalactivity, as described previously. A user might, for example, utilizeillustrated input and output devices such as a microphone 320 andauxiliary video display 312 to operate a computer 201 hands-free, andwithout needing to look in the direction of a primary video display 311so as to facilitate greater freedom of movement and activity by allowingthe user to move about a workspace and change body position or movementsas appropriate without concern for disrupting operation or receipt ofoutput from computer 201.

It will be appreciated that all physical and software elementsillustrated are exemplary, and that additional or alternate elements maybe utilized as appropriate to a particular configuration according tothe invention, such as the addition of a plurality of microphones 305 asmight be desired for additional audio input sources or greater audioinput clarity, or the addition of additional auxiliary video outputdevices 312 such as for presenting video output to multiple recipientsor presenting a variety of output information across multiple devices.It will be further appreciated that the means of conveying informationbetween computer 201 and external devices may vary, such as utilizingremote wired or wireless connections to facilitate operation of acomputer located outside a workspace 100 or utilizing remote outputdevices to present information to recipients outside a workspace 100. Asan example, a user might give a presentation while performing physicalactivity, the information being presented to remote users whose locationmay vary according to the invention. As another example, computer 201may reside in a separate room (such as a server room kept distinct fromworking areas), but may be operated by a user from a workspace 100 in amanner similar to how a computer located within the workspace might beoperated. In this manner, a computer 201 need not be location-dependentand may accept remote input as well as provide remote output, allowingusers the flexibility and convenience of being located remotely from aparticular computer without limiting operation or the work that can beperformed.

All of the embodiments outlined in this disclosure are exemplary innature and should not be construed as limitations of the inventionexcept as claimed below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A workspace fitness apparatus, comprising: aworkspace; and A plurality of fitness equipment components arrangedaround and/or within a workspace.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of fitness equipment components comprises devices intendedfor NEAT™ activity.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof fitness equipment components comprises devices intended for physicalfitness and/or muscle-building.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theplurality of fitness equipment components comprises devices intended forphysical therapy.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the workspacefurther comprises a computer.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein theapparatus further comprises a plurality of ambidextrous input meansadapted to provide input to the computer.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein the computer further comprises hands-free input means such asautomated speech recognition software.